I just found a picture in MS Royal 20.A.II, from the British Library, London, taken from Historia Major Matthew Paris c 1240, of Richard the Lionheart sitting on a throne holding a sword.
The interesting thing about this is that Richard is holding his sword in the reverse grip position that Hans Talhoffer held his longsword in his portrait at the end of his manual. I don't want to make to much of this, but it is possible that this position was a common "at-ease" position that one held their sword in when not ready for training or combat. Does anyone else know of any other instances of this position.
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